It is incredible to think that the year 2018 is upon us. At least from where I sit, the 1970’s seem like yesterday. Countless people across the globe will celebrate the New Year in every conceivable way, some wonderful, others perhaps not so swift.

I enjoy gathering with friends and family to welcome in a New Year. There is something special about parades and bowl games. And I along with many feel that with the arrival of a New Year, there is cause for hope.  That said, in general, New Years Day and the events that surround it have not been my favorite compared to other holidays. For a long time I didn’t understand why, but recently I think I have begun to gain some insight.

Over the years lots of us have had the experience of making resolutions for the New Year. Resolutions are not the problem. Often in fact they can be life altering for the good.

The challenge is that we at times seemingly make our resolutions calendar dependent. It is as if a simple change on the calendar gives us the opportunity for a new start that was not present before time moves from the 31st of December to the 1st of January.

If however, we look at change as being calendar driven, we can lose sight of the fact that each and every day we are given by God is a fresh moment we can begin anew, set a new course, change directions, make different decisions, or confront ways of living that diminish us.

Said another way, we need not wait for a new year to arrive to make transformative commitments or to resolve to do this or that. God gives us that opportunity every moment of every day.

Scripture is replete with examples of people making changes, starting anew, or engaging in a new beginning.  None of the stories I can think of were calendar driven, but God led.  Whether it was Moses beginning his role as a leader or Esther taking on the new responsibility of saving her people, new starts, beginnings and choices didn’t depend upon a ball dropping at midnight.

While it is important to mark the passage of time, celebrate meaningful events and passages, the good news of the Gospel is that we can start fresh at any time. This is why in Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians he writes, “What we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new.” (The Message).

When our lives are grounded in Christ, God’s spirit enables us to get such a fresh start every single moment. The Spirit of God does not depend on a calendar, time, or the day of the week.

It is my prayer for each of us this New Year that we will resolve to awaken each day expectant that our Lord is working through us to bring about not only what is new, but what brings us joy, hope, an opportunity to serve, healing, and purpose.

Happy New Year!